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Msowoya, Mtawali stake their claims

Striker Chiukepo Msowoya’s 75th minute winner helped him and interim coach Ernest Mtawali stake their claims for Flames’ permanent consideration following a 1-0 win over makeshift Uganda Cranes on Monday.

With Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in search of a permanent coach and the Flames badly in need of a striker with a good scoring habit, Mtawali and Msowoya might have done their auditions a big favour in this 51st Independence Anniversary Celebrations match at Kamuzu Stadium. The match was played for 80 minutes.

Msowoya (L) scored the lone goal for Malawi
Msowoya (L) scored the lone goal for Malawi

Mtawali’s second-half substitutions of Fischer Kondowe, injured MiciumMhone and debutant Deus Nkutu for Dave Banda to hold the then lifeless midfield, and another debutant Isaac Kaliyati to create width and Muhamad Sulumba to add fire power upfront, won the game.

“I am very happy that Under-20 players such as Stanley Sanudi have made their debuts. This is the next generation to take over from the likes of Fischer. When it comes to international football, there is no friendly. You go out there and get a result.

“I am happy the result came our way. I think the guys did very well. I am very happy. I made my debut here in 1982, 33 years ago,” Mtawali told journalists in a post-match interview.

The game, which President Peter Mutharika witnessed in part and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu in full, appeared to be descending into a disjointed draw only for Msowoya to glance in Yamikani Fodya’s right-flank corner-kick.

The corner-kick resulted from an effort by captain of the day, John Banda, who had forced Uganda goalkeeper Mathias Kigoya to concede the set piece which Msowoya headed powerfully into the net to bury memories of last month’s 1-2 loss to Zimbabwe under the reign of Young Chimodzi.

As dusk descended on the poorly lit packed stadium, the fans celebrated the win. The game kicked off late at 3.44pm as the predominantly Under-23 Cranes arrived late straight from Chileka Airport having reportedly missed a flight in Kampala.

Not that it was an appetising display for the Flames. While debutant right back Sanudi of Be Forward Wanderers thrilled going forward and when retreating, another rookie striker Nkutu from Moyale Barracks, had a debut to forget.

The gulf in class between club and national team football took its toll on Nkutu whose first touch and runs were slugging and his partnership upfront with Msowoya was dysfunctional.

John Banda was shifted to the attacking midfield role to accommodate Kondowe on the right wing before he paved the way for Kaliyati.

Malawi kicked and rushed for the entire part of the first-half which Uganda surprisingly dictated with a controlled defensive play revolving on captain Richard Bukenya.

First-half ended goalless and when play restarted, Mtawali did not take long to make the substitutions.

However, Malawi were fortunate in the second half that Semanu John had earlier missed when he controlled a long ball before firing low and wide.

Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic  said his charges, who are tuning up for a CAF Under-23 match in Egypt on July 18, “gave a good account of themselves. It was a balanced game. We didn’t deserve to lose, but this is football.”

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